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    The Park Side Café

    4.0 (88 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    The Park Side Café Photos

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    THE PARK SIDE CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Park Side Café

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    Menu is posted on the glass near the register.
    Crystal F.

    Five stars for the full experience. The Victorian-era styled building in West Olympia, The Park Side Café offers plant-based dishes in style. The cafe offers small tapas-like plates of assorted vegan-friendly offerings. I ordered the visually stunning, with loads of texture and taste, Moroccan Roasted Chickpea Kale Salad no dressing. Saving room for dessert, I could not resist sharing one of their giant chocolate chip cookies and a few bites of their German Chocolate cream pie with my kids. Like a typical cafe, you order at the register. We were greeted by friendly and attentive servers. My husband ordered the German potato salad, my daughter enjoyed the Seitan & Rice Burrito, and my son was meh on the Seitan Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pie. I myself, am not a huge fan of Seitan, so I wasn't really surprised they didn't like it either. Once you are finished eating, you can wander upstairs where there is a cute kitchen supply shop and another friendly face to greet you. It was fun checking out the unique building and walking by a gorgeous bed and breakfast owned by the same woman who opened this restaurant. If you have time, I recommend walking around the grounds of the bed and breakfast next door, it is beautiful!

    Samosa with mint chutney
    Ayla B.

    The staff? Incredible! Everyone is so friendly, they answered all of my questions, and even apologized for the wait times. They're such a happy face for this lovely, little space! Did I enjoy my time? Yes. I opted for an oak milk cinnamon bun coffee and my wait for the coffee was easily 20 mins just from this spot being popular! I cannot say it was worth the wait for the coffee... it was beyond cinnamon bun sweet for me. I did like the flavor profile, but I think the sugar content may have been too high for me to enjoy this one. I also ordered the samosa hand pie and it was tasty, but a little bit dry. Now, let me talk about the mint chutney sauce, friends!! THE BEST I've had... ever. If I could drink this sauce like the food gremlin I am without getting worried looks shot my way... I 100% would. It was beautiful. Packed with the fresh mint flavor, but creamy enough to where the mint doesn't become abrasive. I drowned my hand pie in it and I have no regrets. It was spectacular.

    Giant hot chocolate
    Chris C.

    The front of house staff was so warm and welcoming and food was ready quickly- we are a large family of vegans (who have lived and eaten coast to coast for 40 years) and ordered a bunch- cabbage soup, apple handpie, pizza handpie, biscuits and gravy, apple cinnamon cheesecake, peanut butter chocolate pie, breakfast sandwich, apple strawberry cider, a tea , chocolate chip cookie and a hot chocolate. We read reviews before coming here and after eating here find any comparison to Wayside laughable- and we LOVE wayside (it's the west coasts closest version of the Chicago Diner or SoulVeg) but the food here is completely different . The flavors are understated but still there-- meaning your hand pizza has more delicate flavors that start with crust and end with the pepperoni - I'd guess most things are made in house or locally due to the lack of heaviness and saltiness you get with premade foods like beyond (typically used in every PDX vegan eatery). The breakfast sando was small and again not heavy its flavors were light and a bit overpowered by the wheat-yness of the English muffin but still delicious. The desserts were on the sweeter side and really smooth- the strawberry apple cider was too sweet for the adults, but very tasty and loved by the kids. We left feeling full, not heavy and pleasantly pleased. The whole feel is more upscale vegan brunch and while the place isn't "not for kids"- I'd enjoy it more if I didn't bring mine and could savor the food instead of playing fork wars with my offspring :)

    Our quesadillas and hand pies.
    Jessica H.

    We stopped here yesterday during a long, rainy road trip from Oregon. We were tired and cranky thanks to the hours spent in the car and the terrible weather...but this place cheered us right up! It has a bright, warm vibe and tasty food. We each got quesadillas and a hand pie. I got the enchilada hand pie and while it tasted nothing like an authentic Mexican or Tex-Mex enchilada, the flavours were delicious and I would happily order it again. The kale made it seem healthy too, ha. My friend got the creamy veggie hand pie and also loved it. The quesadillas again did not taste like authentic Mexican quesadillas but they were perfectly adequate. They came with salsa and a cashew cream dip that really hit the spot. I also got the PB&J cheesecake. It was decadant, but I would've like a little more of the jelly flavor. I'd like to try their other desserts in the future. This place has lots of little dishes that you can add together to form a "mixed plate," so it's fun to try a variety of things. Service was super friendly and the prices were reasonable. Definitely a great find in the Olympia area and I'll be back

    Alex N Gigi S.

    If I could give 6 stars I would!!! I cannot say enough about the service I received from the Parkside Café! I wanted to express my extreme satisfaction with Parkside. I do not live in Washington State, but our daughter, does and I wanted to send her a birthday surprise. I was looking through Yelp for any vegan pastry's and thank goodness we Parkside ! I called and placed an order with help from a young lady who's name escapes my mind. But I would be remiss if I did not point out how extremely helpful and patient this young lady was with me. I told her about us not living in the state and that to make matters worse my daughters' car (Kia) had been stolen the previous night just before her birthday. I explained what I wanted and she was extremely helpful in helping us (my husband & I) make our selection. In addition, I also asked this kind young lady if she could PLEASE write a HBD to our daughter directly on the box. She was kind enough to say yes. Needless, to say we could not be HAPPIER with our purchase. WOWWWW what a beautiful vegan pie and the amazing detail on the box was truly unexpected. From a pair of parents who miss their daughter and are over 3,300 miles away, THANK YOU for making my daughters day extra special!

    Kade R.

    Seitan Burrito was really good. Couldn't even tell it was meatless! The coconut cream pie was also delicious. Was a filling meal but I didn't feel heavy afterwards.

    Outside of the building from the outdoor seating area

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    Victoria K.

    Won A.! Thank you for the awesome review. We love our customers!

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    Victoria K.

    Erica! Thanks for this awesome review! We work hard for our customers!

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    Victoria K.

    Thanks for the nice review Carla!

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    2 years ago

    Super friendly staff and yummy vegan food. The vibe inside is mellow, a nice spot to catch up with a friend or get some work done.

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    Chicory - Partially eaten Sheep's Milk Galette and Smoked Boudin

    Chicory

    4.4(154 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Very much enjoyed our last prixe fixe adventure dining at Chicory last night! Le Reveillon!! Each…read morecourse was a wonderful surprise, as usual. Staff were amazing. So sorry to see you close, but will look forward to seeing you again in downtown Oly at the new "Gold Standard" soon

    The ambience is beautiful inside…read more The best part of the Baked Eggs dish was the cheese. The cheese was so flavorful, creamy, and delicious. Next best was the bread - it was perfectly soft inside with a crispy crust. Between how oily the dish was and my nose running from the increased spice as I continued eating, I wouldn't return for this dish. The eggs weren't noticeable in appearance or taste- I had to search for them. The "creamy grits" were creamy, but the black pepper taste was STRONG. Definitely ordered the side for the "creamy" factor, hoping when the server said harissa in the eggs would have a mild spice, that the grits would calm my mouth. The amount of pepper made this unsuccessful. But if you like black pepper a lot then you'll enjoy them. My son enjoyed the beignet's. The server was also the host and he was kind. It was easy to get his attention when needed. I didn't see anyone with a grin on their face after taking bites of their food. I looked around quite a bit out of curiosity. So for ambiance, kind and prompt service, and the possibilities of the menu I gave it 4 stars. We only tried the few things I mentioned. I did also appreciate the bottle of water ready on every table. Note that there is no kids menu and it's mostly table seating. So maybe try on your own or with other adults, and leave the kids at home?

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    Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Chocolate marquise: chocolate mousse, raspberry coulis, pomegranate whipped cream, Aleppo toasted hazelnuts.

    Cynara Restaurant & Lounge

    4.2(174 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Had a very nice happy hour experience this week. It was my first time coming here and was told it…read morehad a great happy hour. There are. Handful of small plates available for happy hour with the purchase of a drink. I got the onion burger, shrimp skewer, and asparagus. The burger was juicy and a great size. It also came with a handful of matchstick fries. I really enjoyed the shrimp skewer as well. My friend tried the lobster bisque. The soup was delicious, but it was more of a tomato soup with chunks of lobster. Will definitely go back for dinner some time. They also had a great selection of whiskey. I also really enjoyed the ambiance.

    Our first time at this restaurant, and it was a memorable one from the very first sip. I started…read morewith a martini--normally stirred, but I requested it shaken--and it arrived in absolute perfection. Crisp, icy, and elegant, with tiny ice crystals shimmering on top. The vodka had just a whisper of brine ("a hint of dirt," exactly how I like it), clean and bracing, beautifully balanced. Once my husband arrived, we ordered the trio of Cynara spreads: romesco, artichoke tapenade, and black garlic chèvre, served with warm, pillowy pita. Every bite was a delight, but the romesco truly stole the show--deep, complex, and subtly spicy, with roasted red pepper richness, topped with sliced carrots, onions, and green beans that added both texture and freshness. The black garlic chèvre, lightly drizzled with honey, was creamy, savory-sweet, and utterly craveable. For my entrée, I chose the Moroccan lamb stew, and it was outstanding. Bold, aromatic, and layered with spice, the stew featured tender, melt-in-your-mouth lamb nestled among tomatoes and carrots in a deeply flavorful broth. Comforting yet vibrant, every spoonful delivered warmth and complexity. My husband ordered the Chicken Véronique, one of their signature dishes, bathed in a Riesling cream sauce. Rich and indulgent, the sauce was silky and luxurious. While slightly on the heavier side, he found it absolutely delicious and well worth it. The staff were attentive, warm, and genuinely kind, making the entire experience feel relaxed and welcoming. We're already looking forward to our next meal here--and dreaming about that romesco and martini all over again.

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    Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Christmas season in the bar.

    Christmas season in the bar.

    Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Happy hour onion burger

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    Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Fried Artichoke Hearts

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    Swing Wine Bar & Cafe - A dessert to die for

    Swing Wine Bar & Cafe

    4.0(294 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Cute little restaurant overlooking Capitol Lake, great for a date night or special occasion. This…read moreis a house converted into a cozy upscale dining spot. It was cold the day went but, if you get warm weather, try for their outdoor patio. I ordered the lemon rosemary hummus (delish) with gluten free crackers and it came out with lots of sliced veggies, olives and pickled carrots and onions. A great value! My main course was king salmon and it was perfect. I ordered a lemonade and was disappointed that the tall skinny glass it was served in was full to the top with ice, so there was very little left to drink. My husband enjoyed the Cesar salad he ordered, tasted like a traditional Cesar. He tried the special beef cheeks and found them to be very fatty and gelatinous. He wouldn't recommend them. They did have a N/A beer option he was happy about. Service was attentive and friendly.

    Small wine bar snuggled in downtown Olympia (off Capitol not where i thought it was on the more…read moredowntown numbered streets). Prices are high but the staff is so friendly and answered all of our questions and we stayed for hours and we were not kicked out. We had brunch which is different from their dinner menu. Ordered wine flights, biscuits and gravy, croissant sandwich, and drinks. For 3 of us we spent about $200. Parking is interesting i guess Sunday mornings it is free at all other times it is metered and you walk up a 2 story ramp. There is a Parking lot that does not belong to the bar. The waiter said you could park there (Sunday morning) but I didnt trust it.

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    Swing Wine Bar & Cafe
    Swing Wine Bar & Cafe - Stuffed and Roasted Portobello Mushrooms

    Stuffed and Roasted Portobello Mushrooms

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    The Park Side Café - vegan - Updated May 2026

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